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Will the real Republican school board candidate please stand up?

Two cases when a Republican is not a Republican could only happen in Savannah. The first is Jackie Sommers. He has run as a Republican, is a paid member of the local Republican party, and even in the nonpartisan race for school board president has declared it at public forums. Yet his name does not appear in the list on a recently distributed flier from the local Republican party. He complained to no avail. So he must not be Republican (huh)?

The second case is candidate Joe Buck, who is running for the same office, school board president. He is not a member of the local Republican party. In the last partisan primaries he voted Democratic, and the day I was there, not one sign of his was at Republican headquarters. He was drafted by the Chamber of Commerce Pact which is highly Republican. I don't think that makes you Republican.

I'm a Democrat. I'm also Jackie Sommers' campaign manager. We filed an injunction to try to stop them from distributing a flier with Buck, who is not a Republican, on it and Sommers who says he is one off of it. Judge Karp denied it. He cited free speech.

The chamber is powerful. I don't blame Mr. Buck. This is his first race, I like him, and I've known him for decades. But if they recruited him, financed him and made him Republican whose president will he be?

Rev. Dr. LEONARD SMALL

Chairman, Committee to Elect Jackie Sommers

'Fair Tax' gets unfair presentation

Bothersome are the constant charges by 12th district congressman John Barrow that his opponent in the election race, Max Burns, has voted for and will vote again for a 23% national sales tax, a charge that Mr. Burns calls a lie. The charge may or may not be a lie, depending on one's definition of a lie. One thing that is absolutely certain, however, is that it is not the whole truth. Whereas the fair tax, if enacted, would impose a 23% national sales tax as charged, conveniently left out is the fact that all of the federal taxes except that one would be repealed. The 23% figure for the new tax was arrived at after computing the value of federal taxes inherent in goods currently being sold and which would be removed from those goods by such repeal, so that the cost of items subject to the new tax should remain the same as before. Most of us will enjoy not having withholding tax deducted from our paychecks or not having to pay income tax, death tax, federal gasoline tax, etc. Also not stated in the charge is that only sales of new items will be subject to the tax; used items will not. There will be no federal tax at all if you buy a used car, a previously owned house or boat, or even on old bricks bought for the construction of a new house, for example.

You might ask how the government can afford to do this. The answer in part is that everyone who buys new goods will have to pay the tax. It certainly should surprise no one that much income is never reported. Cheaters, illegals and foreigners will all have to pay. Also, tremendous savings will accrue to the government by not having the expense of creating the paperwork and enforcing the system. Tax returns by individuals will also become unnecessary as well.

Finally, also totally ignored in the charge is that the lowest income families of our society will receive a check from the government each month to compensate them for the new tax that they will have paid on necessities such as food, clothing and housing.

Come now, Mr. Barrow. The fair tax is fair, but the way you have presented it is not!

JULIAN K. QUATTLEBAUM JR.

Savannah

Dem. staffer rude to caller

After many years of volunteering during political campaigns in the offices of Republican candidates, I have always been very considerate of people calling with differing views. I have always told the opposing caller that I would pass on their opinions to the Republican candidates, which I did.

I recently called the Democratic Committee of Chatham County to very politely express my views about inaccurate and negative campaign ads on television sponsored by the Democratic Committee about a Republican candidate. The male (who would not give me his name) called me a "name" and hung up the phone.

This should demonstrate to everyone the difference between polite Republicans and rude Democrats.

JOY POVEC

Savannah

Bravo on Perdue endorsement for governor

I commend the Savannah Morning News for endorsing our Governor Sonny Perdue who has done such a wonderful job for the people of Georgia and who has plans for more great things to come in the next four years. He has a record all can be proud of.

AMY VESTAL

Savannah

Nelson will be strong on terror

Promise to terrorists: "You'll never win, not today, not tomorrow, not ever. America will fight you until hell freezes over. Then we'll fight you on the ice."

This is just one promise from Jim Nelson and the other proud Democratic veterans running for Congress. All 61 of them.

Their other promise to America is to bring Osama bin Laden in. Whatever it takes and wherever it takes them. No more quitting on this issue. Justice and 2,973 American families wait.

Jim Nelson chose to serve his country in wartime as an Army Officer. And 17-years ago he chose to serve as a Minister. Now he asks you to choose him to serve in Congress.

Jack Kingston chose not to serve his country. He chose to sell insurance. He's now a millionaire career politician living in a mansion. Are his choices your values too?

Which man will you choose to thank with your vote? And who can you trust more? A man who proved he's willingly to serve and die for his country if necessary - or a man who proved he is not.

MIKE DESMOND

U.S. Navy, Ret.

St. Marys

Shame on Andrews

for campaign antics

I take exception to certain statements made by Doug Andrews in Sunday's article regarding the Recorder's Court election.

Running a negative campaign and spouting innuendo may be a tiresome reality in today's political process, but Mr. Andrews takes it a step further. He not only insults Judge Claire Cornwell-Williams by calling into question her intelligence, he insults the intelligence of the reader as well.

Does he really expect us to believe that Judge Williams, who has heard 58% of the docket before the Recorder's Court in 2006, is "in over her head?"

Judge Williams' record speaks for itself. The Recorder's Court is the busiest in Chatham County. Judge Williams handled over 20,000 cases through July of this year alone. That she can manage to perform her duties with grace and a bit of humor (when appropriate) is a testament to her skill and 13 years of experience on the bench.

When at the polls next Tuesday, one can only hope that the voters of Chatham County will agree with the Savannah Morning News that Judge Claire-Cornwell Williams is the best choice for Judge in Recorder's Court.